Chinese Idiom: 人言可畏 (Ren Yan Ke Wei)
English Translation: Words of Others Are to Be Feared
pīn yīn: rén yán kě wèi
Idiom Meaning: Refers to the pressure and anxiety caused by irresponsible gossip and idle chatter.
Historical Source: The Book of Songs (Shījīng) – “Ode to the Master of the House” (《郑风·将仲子》).
Idiom Story: The idiom “人言可畏” (Rén yán kě wèi) originates from a folk love song in The Book of Songs, specifically from the section “Ode to the Master of the House” (郑风·将仲子). This poem is a lyrical expression of a young woman’s longing for her lover, Zhongzi, while fearing the potential repercussions of her family’s and society’s scrutiny.
In the poem, the young woman asks her beloved Zhongzi not to trespass over her walls or damage her trees. Her reluctance is not due to a concern for the trees themselves but rather due to the fear of her brothers discovering Zhongzi’s visits. The poem’s second and third stanzas further emphasize her fear of public gossip:
- “Zhongzi, do not climb over my garden wall, nor break my sandalwood trees. I am not concerned about the trees themselves, but the many words of others are to be feared.”
In essence, the poem captures the woman’s anxiety about the potential gossip and criticism from her family and society if her relationship with Zhongzi were discovered. Her fear of the negative impact of public opinion outweighs her personal feelings.
Over time, the phrase “人言可畏” (Rén yán kě wèi), meaning “words of others are to be feared,” has been adopted as a proverb to convey the idea that careless or malicious talk can cause significant distress and complications, reflecting the impact of public scrutiny and gossip on personal lives.
